Writing

It had been a brisk autumn morning. The clear sky and low hanging sun lulling you into a thinking it was an early summers morning, only to be hit by the brisk sea breeze as you stepped out onto the street. I’ve always loved those kinds of mornings, I find them relaxing. Ognat seemed to share my appreciation for the autumn air, but then again the towering Dragonborn was capable of appreciating anything nature offered. Lira on the other hand definitely didn’t, and she made sure everyone knew about it. Walking around with her royal blue cloak tightly wrapped around her and a sour look on her face.

We had spent our morning walking the cobbled streets of the port city and now stood in the cities main plaza overlooking the docks below. The plaza had the craftminship of the Dwarves on full display. Grand stonework buildings lined the plaza, each proudly displaying the wears of the business housed within. Shining suits of armor and gleaming blades with intricately decorated hilts or rows upon rows of glistening gems pulled from the mines in SnowIron sat behind a single pane of crystal clear glass, housed in simple wooden frame and surrounded by ornate patterns carved into the stone. At first glance it looks like nothing more than a decoration, but any professional thief knows the decoration actually hides a series of runes that make it a sophisticated magic trap set in plain site set to catch any would be burglar.

Still, being a port city, Dawrven wares weren’t the only ones on show, some shops displayed the latest fashions brought in from across the seas but others were setup to look like a room you might find in a nobles house. One showcased a large padded chair fitted with a cream fabric embroidered with a repeating floral pattern of rich greens and deep reds, it’s wooden frame a deep mahogany carved to look as though it were the roots of the plants it held in place. The chair sat atop a thick heavy rug that shared a matching pattern coming from adjacent corners but stopping short of meeting in the middle. Both were unmistakably the work of an Elven craftsman, and many more pieces just like that could be seen in the open store behind them.

However, nothing the shops contained could possibly hope to compete with the clock tower at the Plazas centre. Towering above the building surrounding it, proudly displaying the time for all to see. Standing close to the tower you could hear the whirring of gears and metallic thuds as the machinery housed in the tower went about its business. A true marvel of Dwarven ingenuity.

One that seemed to captivate Ognat. The giant Dragonborn stood before the tower looking up at the clock face and seemed to be letting out a low growl in time with the metallic clicks of the hidden machinery which seemed to be attracting the attention of more passersby than what a hulking Dragonborn with a weapon on his back would normally garner.

In my short time traveling with Ognat, I’d come to learn that despite his towering stature and the hulking frame that gave him an overtly intimidating appearance he was a good-natured person that emanated a tranquil presence that brought peace to those around him. It wasn’t uncommon to see him tending to injured animals as we travelled or making detailed notes and sketches of the various flora that we encountered. Unfortunately, many found it hard to get over that first impression which had led to the occasional run in with a towns guard and one time sparked a small bar brawl that was over almost as soon as it began. As despite his size, Ognat was fast. Scary fast. And when coupled with his thick scales giving him a layer of armour capable of shrugging off most attacks, it would take a giant of equal standing to get the better of him.

Still, even knowing all this I couldn’t help but worry about him every time our travels took us to a new town or city as he didn’t deserve to be looked at in fear or viewed as a monster. I knew monsters, and he certainly wasn’t one. I asked him about it one night as we camped in the forest cooking our meal, and he insisted it didn’t bother him saying “The river may crash into the rock but its purpose is not to hurt. It is simply it’s nature and you can not be mad at nature.”

But I couldn’t help keep a watchful eye on him whenever we were in a populated area. Even now I watched him from a distance as I leaned on the stone railing marking the stairs that led down to the port. Lira was excitedly bouncing back and forth along the same railing commenting on the ships below as she went. The sun having come out warming the day up and bringing her out of the makeshift cocoon, returning her to her usual energetic and talkative self.

It was good to hear her in high spirits once again. The day always seemed brighter when Lira provided commentary as she saw everything with wide eyed joy regardless of if it was the first or thousandth time she’d seen it, and after so many years travelling it was refreshing to travel with such innocence. I closed my eyes as I looked towards the sky. Felt the brisk autumn wind brush across my face taking a second to soak in a simple ordinary the moment others would take for granted.

I barely managed two breaths before I felt multiple excited pats on my shoulder. Opening my eyes I found Lira crouched on the railing next to me, a wide grin on her face as she pointed out towards the bay. “Røkr, look. Look!.” her usual soft melodic voice noticeably higher with excitement as she continued “It’s a ship from home! It’s sail is the same royal blue as my cloak and it’s flying the woodlands crest!” she was still patting my shoulder as I stood and turned to get a better look at what she was pointing at. And sure enough, a single-masted ship was entering the bay flying the woodlands colours.

Judging by the ships build it was a cargo ship, or at least that was my best guess as it was hard to tell from this distance, but the it appeared to have high sides which were meant to make it difficult for pirates to board if it was attacked during transit. Although, we were in a port city so it wasn’t unexpected to see a merchant ship pull into the bay after all, but I don’t think that’s what excited Lira. It’d been close to three years since we’d met on the boarders of the woodland realm, her homeland, and she decided to travel with me, which meant three years since she’d seen or heard anything from home.

After a short moment examining the ship I reached up high, stretching out my back, letting out a small groan as I did so as I only know realised how tense my leaning had made it. Lira’s eye watched me constantly as she waited to hear my comment on her observation. “You’ve good eyes little bird. Good spot.” I responded as I gave her a couple light pats on the head. A bad habit I needed to break, even if she didn’t seem to mind.

Lira’s short stature and spirited personality always gave me the impression of a hyper younger sibling rather than the full grown capable Elf and deadly city guard of the woodland realm that she was. Even now as she shot up from her crouched position to standing tall on the railing she was barely a head taller than me. Lira quickly rattled off, “My eyes are amazing aren’t they? My archery master always praised my eyes. She said I could count the spots on a ladybug from a hundred paces if I wanted to. That’s pretty amazing right?” she now stood tall on the railing. Her chin held high, her blonde hair catching the light giving the blonde braid circling her head the appearance of a halo as she stood with hands clenched into fists at pushed against her hips trying to make her best “victorious” pose. Clearly expecting and waiting for the next compliment.

I couldn’t disappoint her and replied with “You don’t say. That is impressive.” Her eyes widened and looked as though they were beginning to sparkle with a build up of excitement as she continued, “Isn’t it? I didn’t really believe her but I mean to be an archer of the city watch you’ve got to have good eyes, right? Not to mention be a good shot. I mean. You’ve got to be careful not to hit someone or, you know, damage someone’s propert…” A loud ringing suddenly interrupted her story. It seemed the clock on the plaza’s tower had it midday and was ringing out alerting the people of the city that a new hour had started.

It was the sound we had been waiting for. “I’m sorry little bird but your story will have to wait.” the bell rang for a second time as I finished my sentence. The sparkle in her eyes seemed to have disappeared as her hands dropped to her sides. “Why don’t you tell me all about it at dinner tonight?” I continued as the noise from the bell died down before ringing out once more. “I know.” I began to say as the bell rang once more, “We’ve got to head to the merchants guild this afternoon, and you know how much those people like to talk hear themselves talk.” Lira chimed in with a sour “yeeaah.” another ring echoed throughout the plaza. “Well, how about you go get Ognat and go down to the port to see that woodland ship come and if they’ve any news from home?”

The life that seemed to have left her came rushing back as she exclaimed “Really?!” it seemed to catch her off guard a little as well as she rocked slightly backwards on her heels and becoming ever so close to falling backwards and down to the stairs below. I instinctively reached out to pull her back but she was nimble and more than used to unsteady footing so quickly recovered.

As the sixth ring of the bell ended I added, “Yeah, why not? I’m sure he’d be much happier exploring the town over being cooped up in an office building anyway.” It also put me at ease not having to worry about keeping the pair of them entertained in a notoriously boring environment. “Just remember to collect the supplies we need for the Grey Road.” I said as I searched my pockets for the list, “We need some warm clothes, face covers, camping supplies…” I trail off as I continued to pat myself down in search of the list and the bell yet again drowns out my words. I give up me search as I say, “I’m sure Ognat has the list and if not he’ll have a better idea of what we need. Just don’t forget the warm clothes.”

I barely finish talking as Lira jumps down and runs off in Ognats’ direction. I just make out her shouting back “I definitely won’t forget the warm clothes. I’ve decided I hate the cold…” as the bell rings once more drowning out what she was saying. They ring out a few more times as she approaches Ognat, he must hear her approach as I catch his tail subtly moving to form a foothold as she approaches. It almost seems unnecessary as with the deft ease of a natural climber she bounces up his back perching herself on his left shoulder. As the bell tolls a final time I see Lira raise her arm pointing their way and off they head.

Seeing them leave, I closed my eyes once more and raise my face to the sky. Feeling the gentle glow of the sun and the gentle touch of the breeze run across my face. I took a couple of deep breaths, savouring the sea air steeling myself for the visit to the merchants guild in search of transport along the Grey Road.